We are glad to join you in prayer for your friend. It is encouraging to see that you are interceding on their behalf, and we trust that God will hear our collective prayers.
Firstly, it is wonderful that you ended your request with 'In Jesus name amen'. This is the only way that we can come to God the Father. As it is said in scripture:
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5 WEB)
And in no other is there salvation, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved! (Acts 4:12 WEB)
Your friend's struggle with their past and drinking is a common one, but with God's help, they can overcome. The Bible tells us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13 WEB). This includes overcoming past mistakes and breaking free from the bondage of alcohol.
Let's pray together:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You today, lifting up our friend to Your throne of grace. Lord, You know the struggles they face, the pain of their past, and the battle they fight against drinking. We ask, Jesus, that You would break the chains of addiction and heal the wounds of their past. Surround them with Your love and give them the strength to overcome these challenges.
Holy Spirit, guide them in their journey, leading them to resources and people that can support them in their recovery. Help them to fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2 WEB), and to trust in His power to redeem and restore.
We also pray that Your word would be a beacon of hope and encouragement for our friend.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 WEB)
Lord, help our friend to embrace their new identity in Christ, to leave their past behind, and to walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:4 WEB).
Finally, we pray that our friend would be open to seeking professional help and community support if needed, and that they would be honest with God, themselves, and others about their struggles.
In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.
We encourage you to continue supporting your friend, praying for them, and helping them to find the resources they need to overcome their struggles. Remind them that God loves them unconditionally, and that with His help, they can overcome their past and break free from addiction.
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8 WEB)
We also rebuke any drinking that occurs with an improper motive such as drunkeness or addiction, which are forbidden in the Bible.
Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18 WEB)
It is one thing to have a drink, but it is another to drink alcohol addictively or for the purpose of drunkeness. Instead, encourage your friend to drink responsibly and legally. If they cannot, they should quit drinking completely and be filled with the Holy Spirit instead. There are other ways to have fun that do not involve alcohol or drugs.
We will continue to pray for your friend and trust that God will work in their life.